Governor Bruce Rauner has signed legislation providing billions of dollars in subsidies to Exelon to save two struggling nuclear plants saving 1400 jobs at the two facilities. The Future Energy Jobs Bill provides a $235 million annual subsidy to Exelon, and ensures the plants will stay open the next ten years.

On the 21st: University of Illinois researchers are teaching computers to imitate subtle human movements - like that of a music conductor. Plus, we discussed whether or not lawmakers will reach a budget agreement before Dec. 31, and the Chicago band Grandkids talked about their latest album.

On the 21st: We talked about the University of Illinois' decision not to declare its three locations sanctuary campuses. Plus, we talked with a Chicago poet, heard from a Danville protester who was at Standing Rock, and checked in with Santa Claus.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says the Jimmy John's sandwich chain has agreed to stop requiring low-level employees to sign agreements preventing them from seeking jobs with competitors. Madigan said in a news release Wednesday that the Champaign-based chain also agreed to inform its employees that previously signed agreements will not be enforced and to tell franchise owners to rescind any existing agreements.

A Champaign-based record label that preserves recordings from the acoustic era – that is, without the use of microphones - has picked up Grammy nominations for best historical album and best album notes. "Waxing the Gospel: Mass Evangelism and the Phonograph" also marks Archeophone Records’ first foray into sacred music.

University of Illinois President Tim Killeen says the school’s three campuses can not serve as a sanctuary for undocumented students - citing the need to uphold state and federal laws. In a mass e-mail Tuesday, Killeen says the sanctuary concept is not well defined. But he says leaders will continue to do all they can within the law to support and protect all students, including those who are undocumented.

One state columnist thinks new Illinois comptroller Susana Mendoza could force a resolution to the long state budget stalemate. Matt Dietrich of Reboot Illinois discusses the idea with Illinois Public Media's Brian Moline.